Disk cartridge apparatus with ejection preventing mechanism using two driven levers

ABSTRACT

An ejecting apparatus for ejecting a disc cartridge set in a cartridge set part is provided with a disc rotating mechanism provided with a disc table onto which a disc in a disc cartridge is loaded for rotating a disc housed in a disc cartridge and a motor for rotating this disc table, an ejection mechanism for ejecting the disc cartridge in a state in which the disc housed in the disc cartridge is loaded onto the disc rotating means and a switching mechanism for prohibiting the ejection of a disc cartridge by the ejection mechanism while a signal is recorded and/or reproduced when the motor for the disc rotating mechanism is normally rotated and for enabling the ejection of a disc cartridge by the ejection mechanism when this motor is reversely rotated.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a disc ejecting apparatus for ejectinga disc installed in a disc rotating mechanism of a disc recorder and/orreproducer and a disc cartridge loading apparatus provided with thisejecting apparatus. Particularly, the present invention relates to anejecting apparatus for ejecting a disc utilizing the driving force of amotor constituting a disc rotating mechanism and a disc cartridgeloading apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, a recorder and/or reproducer using an optical disc and amagneto-optical disc for a recording medium of a signal is used.

This recorder and/or reproducer is provided with a disc rotatingmechanism for rotating an optical disc housed in a disc cartridge. Thisdisc rotating mechanism is provided with a disc table on which a disc isset and a spindle motor for rotating this disc table. The disc table isprovided with a centering member for fitting into a center hole providedin the center of an optical disc and a magnet for attracting a magneticplate attached to cover the center hole of a disc on its face on which adisc is set. An optical disc is set by fitting its center hole to acentering member and attracting a magnetic plate by a magnet so that thedisc can be rotated integrally with a disc table. This disc table isintegrated with the driving shaft of a spindle motor and is rotated bydriving the spindle motor.

An optical pickup constituting recording and/or reproducing means forrecording and/or reproducing a signal on an optical disc set on a disctable and rotated integrally with the disc table is provided to therecorder and/or reproducer. This optical pickup scans the signalrecorded area of an optical disc by feeding it in the radial directionof the rotated optical disc using a feeding mechanism.

A loading apparatus provided with an ejecting mechanism for setting anoptical disc on the disc table of the disc rotating mechanism andejecting the optical disc set on this disc table is provided to therecorder and/or reproducer using a disc for a recording medium.

In the meantime, in the recorder and/or reproducer using an optical discon which a signal can be recorded as a recording medium, informationsuch as the address of a recorded signal is placed on the catalog aftera signal is recorded. Therefore, if an optical disc set on the disctable is ejected while a signal is being recorded, a signal is notrecorded precisely.

If an optical disc set on the disc table is ejected while a signalrecorded on the optical disc is being reproduced, smooth reproductionmay be not performed next time a signal is reproduced.

Further, if an optical disc set on the disc table is ejected duringrecording and/or reproducing a signal on the optical disc, the opticaldisc may collide with the optical pickup, and the optical disc and theoptical pickup may be damaged.

Therefore, an ejection mechanism wherein an optical disc set on the disctable is prohibited from being ejected during recording and/orreproducing a signal is provided to the recorder and/or reproducer usingan optical disc as a recording medium.

For this ejection mechanism, the one constituted as shown in FIG. 1 isproposed. This ejection mechanism is applied to a discrecorder/reproducer for recording and reproducing a signal using anoptical disc as a recording medium and is provided with first and secondejection levers 117 and 118. These first and second ejection levers 117and 118 are attached along one side of the body 100 of a discrecorder/reproducer so that they can be moved. A grip 116 is provided tothe first ejection lever 117 so that this lever 117 can be readilymoved. When the first ejection lever 117 is moved along one side of thebody 100 in the direction shown by an arrow c in FIG. 1, the secondejection lever 118 is moved in the direction shown by an arrow d in FIG.1 via a transmission lever 111 for transmitting operating physical forcebetween the first and second ejection levers 117 and 118.

As shown in FIG. 1, a turned part 115 which is at the end of thetransmission lever 111 for transmitting the operating physical force ofthe first ejection lever 117 to the second ejection lever 118 is putbetween the first and second ejection levers 117 and 118. When the firstejection lever 117 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow c inFIG. 1, the turned part 115 is pressed and the transmission lever 111 isturned on the side of the second ejection lever 118. The second ejectionlever 118 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow d in FIG. 1 viathe turned part 115.

In the meantime, the second ejection lever 118 controls the opening andclosing of a cover turned in synchronization with a cartridge holderinto/in which a disc cartridge housing an optical disc is inserted andheld. That is, the cover is turned in synchronization with the cartridgeholder, when the cartridge holder is turned in a position in which adisc cartridge is to be set on the side of the body, the cover is turnedso that it closes a part in which the cartridge is set and is locked bythe second ejection lever 118, and a closed state is held. When thesecond ejection lever 118 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow din FIG. 1, the lock of the cover is released and the cover is turned inthe direction in which the part in which the cartridge is set is opened.This cover is turned in the above direction by a twisted coil springprovided on the turning shaft of the cover.

The transmission lever 111 is arranged on an ejection regulating lever106 arranged in the body so that the transmission lever can be swung andthe turned part 115 which is at the end is protruded from one side of ahousing between the first and second ejection levers 117 and 118. Thistransmission lever 111 is arranged on the ejection regulating lever 106with first and second supporting shafts 109 a and 109 b planted on theejection regulating lever 106 respectively inserted into a first supporthole 110 a with a longer diameter in the longitudinal direction and asecond support hole 110 b with a large diameter. The transmission lever111 can be moved in the direction shown by an arrow b in FIG. 1 in therange of the first and second support holes 110 a and 110 b and isturned in the range of the second support hole 110 b with a largediameter with the first supporting shaft 109 a inserted into the firstsupport hole 110 a formed as a long hole in the center. The transmissionlever 111 is pressed and moved in the direction shown by the arrow b inFIG. 1 in which the turned part 115 is protruded between the first andsecond ejection levers 117 and 118, by a tension spring 114 stretchedbetween a spring fitting piece 113 protruded on one side of this lever111 and a spring fitting piece 112 protruded on one side of the ejectionregulating lever 106. The ejection regulating lever 106 on which thetransmission lever 111 is arranged is supported so that the ejectionregulating lever can be moved in the directions shown by arrows a₁ anda₁ in FIG. 1 for advancing or moving back to the first and secondejection levers 117 and 118 with first and second supporting shafts 107a and 107 b planted on the body respectively inserted into first andsecond support holes 108 a and 108 b with a longer diameter in themoving direction of the transmission lever 111. A rack 105 engaged witha driving gear 104 rotated by a drive motor 101 is formed on one side ofthe base end of the ejection regulating lever 106 on which thistransmission lever 111 is arranged.

A spur gear 119 engaged with the rack 105 and a worm wheel 121 areprovided on the same axis as the driving gear 104. A worm gear 103 towhich the driving force of the drive motor 101 is transmitted is engagedwith the worm wheel 121. This worm gear 103 and the drive motor 101 arecoupled by engaging a spur gear 120 attached at the base end of the wormgear 103 with a spur gear 102 attached to the driving shaft 101 a of thedrive motor 101.

While an optical disc is set in the disc rotating mechanism of arecorder/reproducer to which the ejection mechanism constituted asdescribed above is applied and a signal is being recorded or reproducedon this optical disc, the drive motor 101 moves the ejection regulatinglever 106 in the direction shown by the arrow a₂ in FIG. 1 and movesback the turned part 115 which is the end of the transmission lever 111from between the first and second ejection levers 117 and 118. Even ifthe first ejection lever 117 is moved in the direction shown by thearrow c in FIG. 1 in this state, the second ejection lever 118 is notmoved. That is, it is because the range in which the first ejectionlever 117 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow c in FIG. 1 isregulated and the ejection lever 117 is not moved by distance enough topress the second ejection lever 118 when the turned part 115 is not putbetween the ejection levers. As operation for moving the second ejectionlever 118 is regulated, the cartridge holder is turned in a position inwhich a cartridge is set and operation for releasing the lock of thecover turned in a position a cartridge set part is closed and locked isregulated. As a result, operation for opening the cover is regulated andoperation for ejecting the optical disc set in the disc rotatingmechanism is regulated.

When placing the information of a recorded signal on the catalog iscompleted or the reproduction of a specified and desired signal recordedon an optical disc is completed after recording a signal on an opticaldisc is finished, the drive motor 101 is driven to move the ejectionregulating lever 106 in the direction shown by the arrow a₁ in FIG. 1.As shown in FIG. 1, when the ejection regulating lever 106 is moved inthe direction shown by the arrow a₁ in FIG. 1, the turned part 115 whichis the end of the transmission lever 111 is protruded between the firstand second ejection levers 117 and 118. When the first ejection lever117 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow c in FIG. 1 in thisstate, the transmission lever 111 is turned, the second ejection lever118 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow d in FIG. 1 by thistransmission lever 111, the lock of the cover which is locked in aposition in which the cartridge set part is closed is released and thecover is turned in the direction in which the cartridge set part isopen. The cartridge holder is also turned in the same direction togetherwith turning of the cover and an optical disc set in the disc rotatingmechanism is ejected from this disc rotating mechanism.

The disc recorder/reproducer provided with an ejection mechanism forregulating the ejection of an optical disc set in the disc rotatingmechanism as described above controls the operation of the ejectionmechanism using the independent drive motor. Therefore, the number ofmotors constituting the disc recorder/reproducer is increased, theconstitution is complicated and the miniaturization of therecorder/reproducer is prevented by them.

Further, a control circuit for controlling the operation of the drivemotor for regulating the operation of the ejection mechanism is requiredand a control circuit for the entire recorder/reproducer is complicated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a disc ejectingapparatus and a disc cartridge loading apparatus for simplifying theconstitution of a recorder and/or reproducer using a disc such as anoptical disc on which a signal is recorded as a recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ejectingapparatus and a disc loading apparatus for reducing the number of drivemotors, simplifying the constitution of the recorder/reproducer andfurther miniaturizing it.

The other object of the present invention is to provide a disc ejectingapparatus and a disc cartridge loading apparatus for simplifying acontrol circuit for the recorder/reproducer.

The further other object of the present invention is to provide anejecting apparatus for controlling the ejection of a disc set in a discrotating mechanism precisely and a disc cartridge loading apparatus.

The furthermore other object of the present invention is to provide adisc ejecting apparatus and a disc cartridge loading apparatus forenabling the precise recording and/or reproduction of a signal andprotecting a disc, a recording and/or reproducing mechanism.

A disc ejecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises adisc rotating mechanism provided with a disc table on which a disc in adisc cartridge is set for rotating the disc housed in the disc cartridgeand a motor for rotating this disc table, an ejection mechanism forejecting the disc cartridge from a state in which the disc housed inthis disc cartridge is set in the disc rotating mechanism and aswitching mechanism for prohibiting the disc cartridge from beingejected by the ejection mechanism when a motor for the disc rotatingmechanism is normally rotated and enabling the ejection of the disccartridge by the ejection mechanism when this motor is reverselyrotated.

A disc cartridge loading apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises: a disc rotating mechanism provided with a disc table on whicha disc in a disc cartridge is set for rotating the disc housed in thedisc cartridge and a motor for rotating this disc table; a holder movedbetween a position in which the disc is set in the disc rotatingmechanism and a position in which the disc is separated from the discrotating mechanism, holding this disc cartridge for holding the disccartridge; the body wherein the disc rotating mechanism is arranged andthe holder is arranged so that the holder can be moved between aposition in which the disc is set and a position in which the disc isseparated; a cover moved together with the above holder between a firstposition in which a disc cartridge can be inserted into this holder whenthe holder is located in a position in which the disc is separated and asecond position in which the end into which a disc cartridge is insertedof the holder is closed when the holder is located in a position inwhich the disc is set; a holding mechanism for holding this cover in thesecond position; an operation mechanism for releasing a state in whichthe cover is held by this holding mechanism and a switching mechanismfor prohibiting a state in which the cover is held by the holdingmechanism from being released by the operation mechanism when a motorfor the disc rotating mechanism is normally rotated and for enablingreleasing a state in which the cover is held by the holding mechanism bythe operation mechanism.

A disc ejecting apparatus and a disc cartridge loading apparatusaccording to the present invention control a mechanism for ejecting adisc cartridge using a motor for a disc rotating mechanism.

The further other object according to the present invention and profitobtained by the present invention will be clearer from the descriptionof concrete embodiments described below referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan showing a disc ejecting apparatus applied to aconventional disc recorder/reproducer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing showing a recording/reproduction-typedisc cartridge used for a disc recorder/reproducer to which the presentinvention is applied;

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing showing the bottom face of the abovedisc cartridge;

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing showing a reproduction only disccartridge used for a disc recorder/reproducer to which the presentinvention is applied;

FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing showing the bottom face of the abovedisc cartridge;

FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing showing the appearance of a discrecorder/reproducer to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the disc recorder/reproducer showing a state inwhich a cartridge holder is separated from a part in which a cartridgeis set and a disc cartridge is ejected;

FIG. 8 is a plan showing the recording/reproducing part and the ejectingmechanism of the above disc recorder/reproducer;

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing showing a state in which a cover isclosed;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a disc rotating mechanism showing a statein which a disc is set on a disc table;

FIG. 11 is a plan of a disc ejecting apparatus showing a state in whichoperation for ejecting a disc cartridge is enabled;

FIG. 12 is a plan of the disc ejecting apparatus showing a state inwhich an ejection regulating lever is operated;

FIG. 13 is a plan of the disc ejecting apparatus showing a state inwhich operation for ejecting a disc cartridge is regulated;

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment according to the present invention andis a plan of a disc ejecting apparatus showing a state in whichoperation for ejecting a disc cartridge is enabled; and

FIG. 15 is a plan of the disc ejecting apparatus according to the aboveembodiment showing a state in which operation for ejecting a disccartridge is regulated.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described belowreferring to the drawings.

Examples in which the present invention is applied to a discrecorder/reproducer used for a reproduction only optical disc on which asignal is recorded beforehand and a magneto-optical disc on which asignal can be rerecorded as a recording medium will be described in theembodiments according to the present invention described below.

A magneto-optical disc on which a signal can be rerecorded used for thisdisc recorder/reproducer is formed by forming a layer for recording asignal consisting of a perpendicular magnetic film on a disc substrate,for example approximately 64 mm in diameter formed by transparentsynthetic resin such as polycarbonate resin. A signal is recorded inthis layer for recording a signal by heating locally at highertemperature than Curie temperature by beams outgoing from the lightsource of an optical pickup and applying an external magnetic field tothe heated portion. A signal recorded on this magneto-optical disc isread by irradiating linearly polarized beams on a layer for recording asignal and detecting the rotation in the polarized direction by Kerreffect of return light reflected from the layer for recording a signalby a photo detector.

Referring to a reproduction only optical disc, a signal is beforehandrecorded in a pit array consisting of minute irregularities. Reflectioncoating formed by aluminum or others is formed on a face on which thispit array is formed. A signal recorded on this optical disc is read byirradiating beams on a pit array and detecting return light reflectedvia the reflection coating by a photo detector.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a disc cartridge 210 housing amagneto-optical disc 211 on which a signal can be rerecorded comprises asquare cartridge 212 with the outside diameter of the magneto-opticaldisc 211 as its approximately inscribed circle. As shown in FIG. 2, anopening 213 for a magnetic head for exposing a part of a signal recordedarea of the housed magneto-optical disc 211 is formed on the upper faceof this cartridge 211. As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 214 for an opticalpickup which is opposite to the opening 213 for a magnetic head andsimilarly exposes a part of a signal recorded area of themagneto-optical disc 211 is formed on the lower face of the cartridge212. Further, an central opening 215 through which the disc table of adisc rotating mechanism for rotating the magneto-optical disc 211 entersis formed on the lower face of the cartridge 212.

A shutter member 216 for closing openings 213 and 214 is attached to thecartridge 212. This shutter member 216 is formed by stamping and bendinga thin metallic plate or forming synthetic resin and is constituted byshutter plates 217 and 218 large enough to cover the openings 213 and214 and a coupling 219 for coupling the ends of these shutter plates 217and 218. The shutter member 216 is formed in the reverse shape of aletter C. Referring to such a constituted shutter member 216, eachshutter plate 217 and 218 is attached on the front side of the cartridge212 to cover each opening 213 and 214 respectively and opens or closeseach opening 213 and 214 by being moved along this front side. Referringto the shutter member 216 again, a fitting piece is guided along a guidegroove 220 by fitting the fitting piece not shown provided to thecoupling 219 into the guide groove 220 formed on the front side of thecartridge 212 and stable movement is guaranteed.

A fitting portion 221 for fitting a shutter closing operating memberprovided on the side of a recorder/reproducer for moving the shuttermember 216 which is moved to a position in which each opening 213 and214 is open to a position in which each opening is closed when this disccartridge 210 is ejected from the disc recorder/reproducer is providedin the center of the coupling 219 of the shutter member 216.

In the meantime, a center hole 222 is formed in the center of themagneto-optical disc 211. A hub 223 formed by magnetic metal to closethis center hole 222 is attached in the center in which this center hole222 is formed. This hub 223 is attracted by a magnet arranged on a disctable when the magneto-optical disc 211 is set on the disc table. Thesecenter hole 222 and hub 223 are exposed via the central opening 215.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of positioning holes 224 and 225 into which apositioning pin provided on the side of the recorder/reproducer isfitted when this disc cartridge 210 is set on the cartridge set part ofthe disc recorder/reproducer are formed on the lower side of thecartridge 212. As shown in FIG. 3, these positioning holes 224 and 225are provided on both sides of the front side of the cartridge 212 onwhich the shutter member 216 is attached. The longer side of onepositioning hole 224 is formed in the moving direction of the shuttermember 216 and a position in which the positioning pin is fitted intothe positioning hole can be adjusted in the range of the longer side.The other positioning hole 225 is formed in the shape of a circle toregulate a position in which the positioning pin is fitted into thepositioning hole.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of identification holes 226 areformed on the rear side opposite to the front side on which thepositioning holes 224 and 225 are provided on the lower side of thecartridge 212. These identification holes 226 are provided to show thetype or the state of a disc housed in the cartridge 212, for examplewhether a signal can be recorded or not. One identification hole 227provided to the disc cartridge 210 is used for detecting an error recordand is opened or closed by an error record preventing member 228provided in the cartridge 212 so that the member can be moved and shownin FIG. 2. That is, when the error record preventing member 228 ismoved, it is switched whether a signal can be recorded on themagneto-optical disc 211 or not and the identification hole 227 showsthe result. A fitting concave portion 229 for fitting a part of aleading mechanism for leading the disc cartridge 210 into a recorderand/or reproducer is formed on both sides of the front side from whichthe disc cartridge is inserted into the recorder and/or reproducer ofthe cartridge 212.

Further, a concave portion for identification 230 for identifying a dischoused in the cartridge 212 is also provided on one side from which thecartridge 212 is inserted into a disc recorder/reproducer of the lowerface.

The disc cartridge 210 constituted as described above is inserted intothe disc recorder/reproducer from one side perpendicular to the frontside along which the shutter member 216 is moved or ejected from thedisc recorder/reproducer. That is, the disc cartridge 210 is insertedinto the disc recorder/reproducer in the direction shown by an arrow X 1in FIGS. 2 and 3 or ejected from the disc recorder/reproducer in thedirection shown by an arrow X 2 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as a disc cartridge 232 housing areproduction only optical disc 231 requires no opening for a magnetichead used for recording a signal, the upper side of a cartridge 233 isclosed. For a shutter member 234, only a shutter plate 218 for openingor closing an opening 214 for an optical pickup provided on the lowerside of a cartridge 233 is provided.

A concave portion for identification 235 for identifying a disc housedin the cartridge 233 is provided in different depth from the concaveportion for identification 230 provided to the disc cartridge 210housing the magneto-optical disc 211. It can be judged whether the disccartridges 210 and 232 are rewritable or reproduction only by detectingthe difference in depth between these concave portions foridentification 230 and 235.

As a signal cannot be recorded on the optical disc 231 housed in thereproduction only disc cartridge 232, no error record preventing memberis provided to this disc cartridge 232.

As the reproduction only disc cartridge 232 is provided with the sameconstitution as the rewritable cartridge 210 in the other respects andthe same reference number is allocated to the same part, detaileddescription will be omitted.

This reproduction only disc cartridge 232 is also inserted into the discrecorder/reproducer from one side perpendicular to the front side alongwhich the shutter member 234 is moved or ejected from the discrecorder/reproducer. That is, the disc cartridge 232 is inserted intothe disc recorder/reproducer in the direction shown by an arrow X 1 inFIGS. 4 and 5 or ejected from it in the direction shown by the arrow X 2in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a disc recorder/reproducer to which thepresent invention is applied using the disc cartridge 210 or 232constituted as described above as a recording medium comprises a discrotating mechanism 1 for rotating the magneto-optical disc 211 or theoptical disc 231 housed in the disc cartridge 210 or 232, an opticalpickup 2 constituting a recording and/or reproducing means for recordingand/or reproducing a signal on the magneto-optical disc 211 or theoptical disc 231 and the body 4 in which a magnetic head 3 is arranged.The disc rotating mechanism 1 and the optical pickup 2 are attached to abase plate 5 arranged in the body 4. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, acartridge set part 7 in which the disc cartridge 210 or 232 is set isconstituted on a disc table 6 of the disc rotating mechanism 1 attachedto the base plate 5 and the upper face of the base plate 5 to which anobjective lens upon/from which beams are incident or outgoing of theoptical pickup 2 is opposite. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a positioningpin 8 to which positioning holes 224 and 225 provided on the disccartridge 210 or 232 are fitted is provided to the cartridge set part 7.The disc cartridge 210 or 232 is set in the cartridge set part 7 with itpositioned by fitting the positioning holes 224 and 225 to thepositioning pin 8.

A cartridge holder 9 for holding the disc cartridge 210 or 232 andsetting this held disc cartridge 210 or 232 in the cartridge set part 7is provided to the body 4. Both ends of the front side on which a port10 for inserting or ejecting the disc cartridge 210 or 232 is providedand the base side opposite to the front side of this cartridge holder 9are supported by a supporting piece 11 provided on the base plate 5 viaa supporting shaft 12 so that the cartridge holder can be turned withthis supporting shaft 12 in the center in the directions shown by arrowsE and F in FIG. 7 in which the cartridge holder approaches or isseparated from the cartridge set part 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge holder 9 is turned in the directionshown by the arrow E in FIG. 7 with the supporting shaft 12 in thecenter in a state in which the cartridge holder is separated from thecartridge set part 7 and the disc cartridge 210 or 232 is inserted viathe port 10, when the cartridge holder approaches the cartridge set part7 as shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge holder sets the disc cartridge 210or 232 in the cartridge set part 7 by positioning and sets themagneto-optical disc 211 or 231 on the disc table 6.

When the cartridge holder 9 is turned in the direction shown by thearrow F in FIG. 9 with the supporting shaft 12 in the center from astate in which the disc cartridge 210 or 232 is set in the cartridge setpart, it separates the magneto-optical disc 211 or 231 from the disctable 6 and moves the disc cartridge 210 or 232 to a position in whichit is ejected.

The magnetic head 3 for recording a signal on the magneto-optical disc211 together with the optical pickup 2 is arranged on the upper face ofthe cartridge holder 9. This magnetic head 3 is provided with a magnetichead 17 at the end of a head supporting arm 16 supported by the end of aturning arm 15 attached to the end of a coupling member 13 in thesubstantially shape of a letter L which is coupled to the optical pickup2 via a supporting shaft so that the turning arm can be turned. Theturning arm 15 is supported by the supporting shaft 14 and is pressed onthe side of the cartridge holder 9 by a pressing arm 19 turned andpressed on the side of the turning arm 15 by a twisted coil spring 18.Therefore, the head supporting arm 16 supported by the turning arm 15 isturned in the direction in which the head supporting arm approaches oris separated from the cartridge set part 7 according to the turn of thecartridge holder 9.

A magnetic head control mechanism 20 for controlling the turn of thehead supporting arm 16 and for bringing or separating the magnetic head17 attached to the end of this head supporting arm 16 close to/from themagneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 in the disc cartridge221 or 232 set in the cartridge set part 7 is provided on the upper faceof the cartridge holder 9. This magnetic head control mechanism 20comprises a control arm 21 for bringing or separating the headsupporting arm 16 close to/from the magneto-optical disc 211 or theoptical disc 231 and a turning member 23 for turning this control arm 21with a supporting shaft 22 in the center. This turning member 23 isattached to a sliding plate 24 moved on the upper face of the cartridgeholder 9. This sliding plate 24 is extended on the side of the body 4 sothat its operating arm 25 is hung on the side of the base end. When itis detected that the disc cartridge 210 housing the magneto-optical disc211 is set in the cartridge set part 7, the sliding plate 24 is moved inthe direction shown by an arrow G in FIG. 9 via the operating arm 25.When the sliding plate 24 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow Gin FIG. 9, the turning member 23 is separated from the control arm 21.The control arm 21 is turned on the side of the cartridge holder 9 andthe head supporting arm 16 is also turned in the same direction to touchthe magnetic head 17 to the magneto-optical disc 211 on the disc table6.

As the magnetic head 3 is coupled to the optical pickup 2 via thecoupling member 13, it is moved to the radial direction of themagneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 set on the disc table 6in synchronization with the movement of the optical pickup 2. That is,the magnetic head 3 is moved in the radial direction of themagneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 set on the disc table 6integrally with the optical pickup 2 by driving a pickup feeding motor26.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the body 4 to the base plate 5 of which thedisc rotating mechanism 1 and the optical pickup 2 are attached ishoused in an outside housing 28. A cover 29 turned in synchronizationwith the cartridge holder 9 for closing the cartridge set part 7 isprovided to this outside housing 28. The base end of this cover 29 isattached to the outside housing 28 via a supporting shaft. The cover 29is coupled so that it can be turned in synchronization with thecartridge holder 9 when it is turned with the supporting shaft in thecenter. That is, the cover 29 and the cartridge holder 9 are coupled viaa coupling mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the cartridge holder 9 is separated from thecartridge set part 7, the cover 29 is turned in a first position inwhich the port 10 into/from which the disc cartridge 210 or 232 isinserted or ejected on the front side of the cartridge holder 9 is open.When the cartridge holder 9 is turned in a position shown in FIG. 9 inwhich the disc cartridge 210 or 232 is set in the cartridge set part 7,the cover 29 is turned in a second position in which the port 10 of thecartridge holder 9 is closed. At this time, a fitted portion 27 of thecover 29 is fitted to a locking piece 31 provided on a second ejectionlever 30 constituting an ejection mechanism described later which isprovided on the side of the body 4 and the cover is held in the secondposition.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the cover 29 is located in the second position,it is matched with the outside housing 28 and closes the cartridge setpart 7 together with the cartridge holder 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 29 is provided with a button 32 forselecting the operation mode of the disc recorder/reproducer out of aplurality of operation modes and a display 59 for displaying theselected operation mode and the state of operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, a recording mode selecting button 33 for selecting arecording mode and an ejection lever operating button 34 for moving thefirst ejection lever of the ejection mechanism are provided on the frontside of the outside housing 28 housing the body 4. When locking thelocking piece 31 by the cover 29 held in the second position is releasedby operating the ejection lever operating button 34 after recording orreproducing a signal on the magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc231 in the disc cartridge 210 or 232 set in the cartridge set part 7 iscompleted, the cover 29 and the cartridge holder 9 are turned in thedirection shown by the arrow F in FIG. 9, the cartridge holder 9 isturned in a position in which it is separated from the cartridge setpart 7 as shown in FIG. 7 and the cover 29 is turned in the firstposition in which the port 10 of the cartridge holder 9 is open. Themagneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 232 set on the disc table 6is ejected.

Next, the further detailed constitution of the disc rotating mechanism 1arranged in the body 4 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disc rotating mechanism 1 is provided with thedisc table 6 on which the magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc232 in the disc cartridge 210 or 232 set in the cartridge set part 7 isset and a spindle motor 35 for rotating this disc table 6. The spindlemotor 35 is attached on the lower face of the base plate 5 with itsdriving shaft 36 protruded from the upper face of the base plate 5 onwhich the cartridge set part 7 is constituted. The spindle motor 35 isattached on the base plate 5 by fixing the flange 37 a of a motorhousing 37 on the base plate 5 by a fixing screw 38.

The driving shaft 36 of the spindle motor 35 is supported by a shaftsupporting member 39 arranged in the housing 37 via a pair of bearings40, 40 so that the driving shaft can be rotated. A yoke attaching member41 is integrated with the driving shaft 36 and rotor magnets 44 and 45are attached via a pair of yokes 42 and 43 attached opposite to thisyoke attaching member 41. The rotor magnets 44 and 45 are formed in theshape of a ring and magnetized in their circumferential direction. Aprinted circuit board 46 provided with a stator coil is arranged betweenthe pair of rotor magnets 44 and 45. This printed circuit board 46 isfixed in the housing 37 and a part is protruded from the housing 37. Asshown in FIG. 8, a connecting terminal 47 to which a feeder for feedingthe stator coil is connected is provided in the part of the printedcircuit board 46 protruded from the housing 37.

When driving current is supplied to the stator coil via the feederconnected to the connecting terminal 47, the driving shaft 36 of thespindle motor 35 is rotated normally or reversely according to thedirection of the flow of driving current supplied to the stator coil.

The disc table 6 is formed in the shape of a disc and attached so thatthe disc table is rotated integrally with the driving shaft 36 as shownin FIG. 10 by fitting a fitting hole 48 provided in the center thereofto the end of the driving shaft 36. A positioning projection 49 forpositioning a position in which this magneto-optical disc 211 or theoptical disc 231 is set on the disc table 6 by fitting a center hole 222of the magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 set on this disctable 6 to the center of the disc table 6 is provided. A fitting guide49 a formed so that the diameter thereof is reduced toward the end isformed at the end of this positioning projection 49. The fitting guide49 a guides so that the center hole 22 of the magneto-optical disc 211or the optical disc 231 is smoothly fitted to the positioning projection49.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, a disc presser 50 protruded toward theperiphery thereof is provided to the positioning projection 49. Thisdisc presser 50 is formed in the direction in which it is located on thepositioning projection 49 so that it can be elastically displaced. Whenthe center hole 222 of the magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc231 is fitted to the positioning projection 49 and set on the disc table6, the magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 is positioned ina position in which it is to be set on the disc table 6 because the discpresser 50 presses and supports the inside face of the center hole 222.

A concave portion 51 is formed on the end face of the positioningprojection 49 and a magnet 52 for attracting a disc is arranged in thisconcave portion 51. This magnet 52 attracts a hub 233 so that themagneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 is pressed andsupported on the disc loaded face 6 a of the disc table 6 and holds itso that it can be rotated integrally with the disc table 6.

As shown in FIG. 10, the disc table 6 enters the disc cartridge 210 or232 set in the cartridge set part 7 via a central opening 215 to loadthe magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231.

A gear 53 is provided to the periphery on the bottom of the disc table6.

The optical pickup 2 is attached via the base plate 5 to which the discrotating mechanism 1 is attached. The optical pickup 2 is provided witha semiconductor laser which is a light source for irradiating beams forscanning the signal recorded area of the magneto-optical disc 211 or theoptical disc 231 loaded onto the disc table 6, an objective lens towhich return light reflected from the magneto-optical disc 211 or theoptical disc 231 is incident for focusing beams outgoing from thesemiconductor laser, irradiating them upon the magneto-optical disc 211or the optical disc 231, an optical instrument such as a beam splitterfor separating beams outgoing from the semiconductor laser and returnlight and an optical detector for detecting return light.

The objective lens of the optical pickup 2 is directed toward thecartridge set part 7, the optical pickup is supported by a pair of guideshafts 55 and 56 attached on the lower face of the base plate 5 inparallel, is guided by these guide shafts 55 and 56 and is moved in theradial direction of the magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231loaded onto the disc table 6. The optical pickup 2 is fed by a feedscrew 57 rotated by the pickup feeding motor 26. The optical pickup 2 iscoupled to this feed screw 57 by fitting a fitting pin 58 provided atone end thereof to the feed screw 57. The optical pickup 2 is moved inthe radial direction shown by an arrow H in FIG. 8 of themagneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 loaded onto the disctable 6 by the driven pickup feeding motor 26 and the rotated feed screw57. When the optical pickup 2 is fed, the magnetic head 3 coupled tothis optical pickup 2 via the coupling member 13 as described above isalso moved in the radial direction of the magneto-optical disc 211 orthe optical disc 231.

An ejection mechanism 60 for releasing locking the cover 29 held in thesecond position in which the port 10 of the cartridge holder 9 turned ina position in which the disc cartridge 210 or 232 is set in thecartridge set part 7 is closed, turning the cover 29 and the cartridgeholder 9 and ejecting the disc cartridge 210 or 232 from the cartridgeset part 7 is provided to the disc recorder/reproducer. A mechanism forregulating the ejection of the disc cartridge 210 or 232 according tothe state of the operation of the disc recorder/reproducer is providedto this ejection mechanism 60. This mechanism is operated by the drivingforce of the spindle motor 35 of the disc rotating mechanism 1.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the ejection mechanism 60 is provided withfirst and second ejection levers 61 and 30 moved along one side of thebase plate 5 constituting the body 4. A mover 62 for moving this lever61 is provided to the first ejection lever 61. This mover 62 is oppositeto a through hole 62 a provided to the outside housing 28 and theoperating button 34 is attached to the end thereof. This first ejectionlever 61 is moved in the direction shown by an arrow K in FIG. 11 bymoving the operating button 34.

The first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 are arranged with themseparated by a fixed distance L 1 between opposite ends. That is, as thefirst ejection lever 61 comes in contact with the second ejection lever30 when the first ejection lever 61 is moved, the second ejection lever30 is separated from the first ejection lever by a distance L 1 acrosswhich the second ejection lever cannot be directly moved. A transmissionlever 63 advancing or retreating between these first and second ejectionlevers 61 and 30 for transmitting the operating physical force of thefirst ejection lever 61 to the second ejection lever 30 is arrangedbetween the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 arranged withthem separated from each other by a fixed distance L 1 . Therefore, whenthe first ejection lever 61 is moved in the direction shown by the arrowK in FIG. 11, the turned part 64 of the transmission lever 63 locatedbetween the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 is pressed by theend of the first ejection lever 61 and the transmission lever 63 isturned in the direction shown by an arrow M in FIG. 11. When thetransmission lever 63 is turned in the direction shown by the arrow M inFIG. 11, the turned part 64 presses the second ejection lever 30 andmoves it in the direction shown by the arrow K in FIG. 11.

When the second ejection lever 30 is moved, the fitting of the lockingpiece 30 provided to this lever 30 and the fitted portion 27 provided tothe cover 29 is released and the cover 29 held in the second position isturned in the direction shown by the arrow F in FIG. 9. The cover 29 isturned in the direction shown by the arrow F in FIG. 9 via a turningmeans not shown. When the cover 29 is turned, the cartridge holder 9 isalso turned in the same direction together with this cover 29, the disccartridge 210 or 232 held in this cartridge holder 9 is ejected from thecartridge set part 7 and the magneto-optical disc 211 or the opticaldisc 232 loaded onto the disc table 6 is ejected.

In the meantime, the transmission lever 63 constitutes an ejectionregulating mechanism 65 for regulating the ejection of the disccartridge 210 or 232 according to the state of the operation of the discrecorder/reproducer, is arranged so that the transmission lever can beswung on an ejection regulating lever 68 arranged on the base plate 5 sothat the ejection regulating lever can be moved and is located betweenthe first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 with the turned part 64at the end protruded from one side of the base plate 5. Thistransmission lever 63 is arranged on the ejection regulating lever 68with its supporting hole 69 fitted to a supporting shaft 70 planted onthe ejection regulating lever 68. The transmission lever 63 is moved inthe direction shown by an arrow J in FIG. 11 protruding the turned part64 between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 by a tensionspring 73 stretched between a spring fitting piece 71 formed on one sidethereof and a spring fitting piece 72 provided to the ejectionregulating lever 68.

As the transmission lever 63 is supported by the supporting shaft 70 viathe supporting hole 69 with a longer diameter in the moved direction, itcan be moved in the direction shown by the arrow J in FIG. 11 againstpressure by the tension spring 73 in the range of the length of thesupporting hole 69. Therefore, even if the transmission lever 63 ispressed against pressure by the tension spring 73, it is movedindependent of the ejection regulating lever 68, regulates theunnecessary movement of the ejection regulating lever 68 and can holdthe ejection regulating lever 68 in a fixed position securely.

The ejection regulating lever 68 on which the transmission lever 63 isarranged is supported in the directions shown by arrows H 1 and H 2 inFIG. 11 in which the transmission lever 63 advances or retreats betweenthe first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 so that the ejectionregulating lever can be moved by fitting first and second supportingholes 74 and 75 with a longer diameter in the moved direction of thetransmission lever 63 to first and second supporting shafts 76 and 77planted on the base plate 5. A spring fitting piece 78 is protruded inthe direction substantially perpendicular to the moved direction of thisejection regulating lever 68 on one side of the end of the ejectionregulating lever 68. A spring fitting concave portion 78 a is providedat the end of this spring fitting piece 78 and one arm 79 a of a togglespring 79 arranged on the base plate 5 is fitted into the spring fittingconcave portion. That is, the toggle spring 79 is arranged in a state inwhich the toggle spring is elastically pressed between the ejectionregulating lever 68 and the spring fitting piece 80 of the base plate 5utilizing pressure in the direction in which first and second arms 79 aand 79 b are separated.

The ejection regulating lever 68 and the spring fitting piece 80 arearranged so that an interval L 2 between the end face of the springfitting piece 78 of the ejection regulating lever 68 and the springfitting piece 80 provided on the base plate 5 is the shortest when theejection regulating lever 68 is located substantially in the centerbetween a position in which the turned part 64 of the transmission lever63 is protruded between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30and a position in which the turned part 64 is withdrawn from between thefirst and second ejection levers 61 and 30 to regulate the ejection ofthe disc cartridge 210 or 232. Therefore, when the ejection regulatinglever 68 is moved in a position in which the turned part 64 of thetransmission lever 63 is protruded between the first and second ejectionlevers 61 and 30 to enable the ejection of the disc cartridge 210 or 232and in a position in which the turned part 64 is withdrawn from betweenthe first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 to regulate the ejectionof the disc cartridge 210 or 232, the interval L 2 between the end faceof the spring fitting piece 78 of the ejection regulating lever 68 andthe spring fitting piece 80 provided on the base plate 5 is longer thanwhen the interval is in an intermediate position.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the ejection regulating lever 68 is moved fromthe intermediate position to a position for enabling ejection, thetoggle spring 79 moves and presses this ejection regulating lever 68 inthe direction shown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 11 and as shown in FIG. 13,when the ejection regulating lever 68 is moved from the intermediateposition to a position for regulating ejection, the toggle spring movesand presses this ejection regulating lever 68 in the direction shown bythe arrow H 2 in FIG. 11.

The ejection regulating lever 68 is moved by the spindle motor 35 of thedisc rotating mechanism 1. The driving force of the spindle motor 35 istransmitted via a driving force transmitting mechanism 81 constituted bya plurality of gears. This driving force transmitting mechanism 81 isattached on the base plate 5 so that it can be rotated and is providedwith a first transmission gear 82 engaged with the gear 53 provided onthe periphery of the disc table 6, a second transmission gear 83provided on the same axis as the first transmission gear 82 with alonger diameter than the first transmission gear 82, a thirdtransmission gear 84 engaged with this second transmission gear 83 andattached on the base plate 5 so that the third gear can be rotated, afourth transmission gear 85 provided on the same axis as this thirdtransmission gear 84 with a shorter diameter than the third transmissiongear 84, a fifth transmission gear 86 engaged with this fourthtransmission gear 85 and attached on the base plate 5 so that the fifthtransmission gear can be rotated and a sixth transmission gear 87provided on the same axis as this fifth transmission gear 86 with ashorter diameter than the fifth transmission gear 86.

An oscillating lever 88 is attached to the rotation axis 86 a of thefifth transmission gear 86 via a friction member not shown. Anoscillating gear 89 engaged with the sixth transmission gear 87 via asupporting shaft 89 a is attached to the end of this oscillating lever88 so that the oscillating gear can be rotated. The driving force of thefifth transmission gear 86 is transmitted to the oscillating lever 88 towhich this oscillating gear 89 is attached via the friction member andthe oscillating lever is rotated in the direction in which this fifthtransmission gear 86 is rotated. The oscillating gear 89 is engaged withthe sixth transmission gear 87 and is engaged with a rack gear 90 formedhalfway on one side of the ejection regulating lever 68.

When the magneto-optical disc 211 or 231 is loaded onto the disc table 6and recording and/or reproducing a signal on this magneto-optical disc211 or 231 is started, the spindle motor 35 of the disc rotatingmechanism 1 is normally rotated in the direction shown by an arrow R 1in FIG. 12. When the spindle motor 35 is rotated in the direction shownby the arrow R 1 in FIG. 12, the fifth transmission gear 86 coupled tothe gear 53 of the disc table 6 via the first, second, third and fourthtransmission gears 82, 83, 84 and 85 and the sixth transmission gear 87provided on the same axis as this fifth transmission gear 86 are rotatedin the direction shown by an arrow P 1 in FIG. 12 reverse to therotational direction of the spindle motor 35. When the sixthtransmission gear 87 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow P 1in FIG. 12, the oscillating lever 88 is rotated similarly in thedirection shown by the arrow P 1 in FIG. 12 and the oscillating gear 89supported at the end is engaged with the rack gear 90 of the ejectionregulating lever 68. At this time, the oscillating gear 89 engaged withthe sixth transmission gear 87 is rotated in the direction shown by anarrow Q 1 in FIG. 12 and the ejection regulating lever 68 is moved inthe direction shown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 12. When the ejectionregulating lever 68 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow H 2 inFIG. 12, the transmission lever 63 is also moved in the same directionand as shown in FIG. 13, the turned part 64 is withdrawn from betweenthe first and second ejection levers 61 and 30, When the ejectionregulating lever 68 moves the turned part 64 to a position in which theturned part is withdrawn from between the first and second ejectionlevers 61 and 30, engagement between the oscillating gear 89 and therack gear 90 is released as shown in FIG. 13. At this time, as thespindle motor is being rotated normally in the direction shown by thearrow R 1 in FIG. 13, torque in the direction shown by the arrow P 1 inFIG. 13 is being applied to the oscillating lever 88 and the engagementof the oscillating gear 89 with the rack gear 90 is regulated. As a loadon the oscillating gear 89 is released when the oscillating gear 89 isseparated from the rack gear 90, torque transmitted to the oscillatinglever 88 supported by the rotation axis 86 a of the fifth transmissiongear 86 via the friction member is reduced and the oscillating lever 88is held in a position in which the oscillating gear 89 is separated fromthe rack gear 90.

When the ejection regulating lever 68 is moved to a position in whichthe turned part 64 is withdrawn from between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30, it is pressed and moved in the directionshown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 13 by pressure from the toggle spring 79and a state in which the movement to the direction shown by the arrow H1 in FIG. 13 is regulated is held. That is, a state in which the turnedpart 64 is withdrawn from between the first and second ejection levers61 and 30 is kept.

When the turned part 64 is withdrawn from between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30, the movement of the second ejection lever 30is regulated even if the first ejection lever 61 is operated. That is,as a distance in which the first ejection lever 61 is moved is that inwhich the first ejection lever does not press the second ejection lever30 directly, the movement of the second ejection lever 30 is regulatedas long as the turned part 64 is not protruded between them. As thesecond ejection lever 30 is not operated, the ejection of the disccartridge 210 or 232 set in the cartridge set part 7 is regulated andtaking off the magneto-optical disc 211 or the optical disc 231 loadedonto the disc table 6 is regulated.

When recording a signal on the magneto-optical disc 211 loaded onto thedisc table 6 is finished and recording the catalog of recorded signalson the magneto-optical disc 211 is completed or the reproduction of adesired signal recorded on the magneto-optical disc 211 or the opticaldisc 231 loaded onto the disc table 6 is completed, the spindle motor 35is stopped and the recording and/or the reproduction of a signal by thedisc recorder/reproducer are/is completed. When the recording and/or thereproduction of a signal is completed, a control signal for controllingthe driving of the spindle motor 35 is output from a control circuit forcontrolling the operation of, for example the disc recorder/reproducerand the spindle motor 35 starts to be rotated in the direction shown byan arrow R 2 in FIG. 13, that is, reversely according to this controlsignal.

A control signal for controlling the driving of the spindle motor 35 isoutput in fixed time after the recording and/or the reproduction of asignal are/is finished or by executing operation for forcedly finishingrecording and/or reproduction.

When the spindle motor 35 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrowR 2 in FIG. 13, the fifth transmission gear 86 coupled to the gear 53 ofthe disc table 6 via the first, second, third and fourth transmissiongears 82, 83, 84 and 85 and the sixth transmission gear 87 provided onthe same axis as this fifth transmission gear 86 are rotated in thedirection shown by an arrow P 2 in FIG. 13 reverse to the rotationaldirection of the spindle motor 35. When the sixth transmission gear 87is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow P 2 in FIG. 13, theoscillating lever 88 is rotated similarly in the direction shown by thearrow P 2 in FIG. 12 and the oscillating gear 89 supported at the end ofthe oscillating lever is engaged with the rack gear 90 of the ejectionregulating lever 68. At this time, the oscillating gear 89 engaged withthe sixth transmission gear 87 is rotated in the direction shown by anarrow Q 2 in FIG. 12 and moves the ejection regulating lever 68 in thedirection shown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 12. When the ejectionregulating lever 68 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow H 1 inFIG. 12, the transmission lever 63 is also moved in the same directionand as shown in FIG. 12, the turned part 64 is protruded between thefirst and second ejection levers 61 and 30. When the ejection regulatinglever 68 is moved to a position in which the turned part 64 is protrudedbetween the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30, engagementbetween the oscillating gear 89 and the rack gear 90 is released asshown in FIG. 11. At this time, as the spindle motor is being rotated inthe reverse direction shown by an arrow R 2 in FIG. 13, force forrotating the oscillating lever 88 in the direction shown by the arrow P2 in FIG. 11 is being applied to the oscillating lever 88 and theengagement of the oscillating gear 89 with the rack gear 90 isregulated. As a load upon the oscillating gear 89 is released when theoscillating gear 89 is separated from the rack gear 90, torquetransmitted to the oscillating lever 88 supported by the rotation axis86 a of the fifth transmission gear 86 via the friction member isreduced and the oscillating lever 88 is held in a position in which theoscillating gear 89 is separated from the rack gear 90.

When the ejection regulating lever 68 is moved to a position in whichthe turned part 64 is protruded between the first and second ejectionlevers 61 and 30, the ejection regulating lever is pressed and moved inthe direction shown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 11 by pressure from thetoggle spring 79 and a state in which the movement to the directionshown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 11 is regulated is held. That is, theejection regulating lever is held in a state in which the turned part 64is protruded between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30.

When the first ejection lever 61 is moved in the direction shown by thearrow K in FIG. 11, the second ejection lever 30 is moved in thedirection shown by the arrow K in FIG. 11 via the turned part 64 of thetransmission lever 63, the lock of the cover 29 is released, the disccartridge 210 or 232 held in the cartridge holder 9 is ejected from thecartridge set part 7 and the magneto-optical disc 211 or the opticaldisc 232 loaded onto the disc table 6 is ejected.

In the meantime, in this embodiment, the range in which the ejectionregulating lever 68 is moved between an ejection enabling position inwhich the turned part 64 of the transmission lever 63 is protrudedbetween the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 and an ejectionregulating position in which the turned part 64 is withdrawn frombetween the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 is set to 2 mmrespectively in the directions shown by the arrows H 1 and H 2 in FIG.11 based upon a neutral position which is an intermediate positionbetween the ejection enabling position and the ejection regulatingposition. If this overall range in which the ejection regulating lever68 is moved is X (mm), that is, respectively ¤(X/2) (mm)in thedirections shown by the arrows H 1 and H 2 in FIG. 11 with the neutralposition as a reference, the length of the rack gear 90 is L (mm) and adistance in which the oscillating gear 89 is moved by the rotation ofthe oscillating lever 88 is P (mm), the values are set so that therelationship as follows is maintained:

P>(L−X)≧0.

Next, another embodiment of the disc recorder/reproducer to which thepresent invention is applied will be described.

In this embodiment, a driving force transmitting mechanism fortransmitting the driving force of a spindle motor 35 to an ejectionregulating lever is simplified and the number of used springs isreduced.

In this embodiment, only the constitution of a main part is shown, acommon reference number is allocated to a member common to the aboveembodiment and the detailed description is omitted.

Referring to a disc recorder/reproducer according to this embodiment, asshown in FIG. 14, an ejection regulating lever 151 advancing orretreating between first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 isarranged on a base plate 5. In this embodiment, a turned part 152 at theend of the ejection regulating lever 151 is directly advanced orwithdrawn between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the ejection regulating lever 151constitutes a transmission mechanism for transmitting the operation ofthe first ejection lever 61 to the second ejection lever 30.

A moving lever 153 which is another lever substantially parallel to theejection regulating lever 151 is arranged on the base plate 5. Theejection regulating lever 151 and the moving lever 153 are coupled by acoupling lever 154 constituting a link mechanism.

The ejection regulating lever 151 is coupled to the coupling lever 154by fitting a first coupling shaft 155 planted halfway into a couplinghole 156 provided at one end of the coupling lever 154 as a long holeand is arranged on the base plate 5 by fitting a first guide shaft 158planted on the base plate 5 into a substantially triangular turningguide hole 157 provided at the base end of the ejection regulatinglever. This ejection regulating lever 151 can be moved in the directionshown by the arrows H 1 and H 2 in FIG. 14 in which the turned part 152at the end is advanced or withdrawn between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30, the first coupling shaft 155 thereof beingguided along the coupling hole 156 and being guided by the first guideshaft 158 planted on the base plate 5 and is supported on the base plate5 so that the ejection regulating lever can be turned in the directionsshown by arrows M 1 and M 2 in FIG. 14 with the first coupling shaft 155in the center. A first rack gear 159 engaged with an oscillating geardescribed later is provided on one side of the base end of this ejectionregulating lever 151.

One end of the moving lever 153 is coupled to the other end of thecoupling lever 154 via a second coupling shaft 162 so that the movinglever can be turned by fitting a guide hole 160 with a longer diameterin the moved direction thereof to a second guide shaft 161 planted onthe base plate 5. This moving lever 153 is moved in the directions shownby arrows N 1 and N 2 in FIG. 14, the guide hole 160 thereof beingguided by the second guide shaft 161. A second rack gear 163 which isanother rack gear engaged with the oscillating gear described later isprovided on halfway one side of the moving lever 153.

The coupling lever 154 for coupling the ejection regulating lever 151and the moving lever 153 is supported by a supporting shaft 164 plantedon the base plate 5 substantially in the center thereof so that thecoupling lever can be turned in the directions shown by arrows S 1 and S2 in FIG. 14 with this supporting shaft 164 in the center.

A toggle spring 165 is hooked between the supporting shaft 164 forsupporting the coupling lever 154 and the coupling shaft 155 planted onthe ejection regulating lever 151. One arm 165 a of this toggle spring165 is fitted to the coupling shaft 155 and the other arm 165 b isfitted to the supporting shaft 164. When the ejection regulating lever151 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 14 in whichthe turned part 152 is protruded between the first and second ejectionlevers 61 and 30, the toggle spring 165 exceeds a neutral point andnormally presses the ejection regulating lever 151 in the directionshown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 14. When the ejection regulating lever151 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 14 in whichthe turned part 152 is withdrawn from between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30, the toggle spring 165 exceeds the neutralpoint and normally presses the ejection regulating lever 151 in thedirection shown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 14.

A driving force transmitting mechanism 170 for selectively engaging theoscillating gear 166 with the first rack gear 159 provided to theejection regulating lever 151 or the second rack gear 163 provided tothe moving lever 153 and for selectively transmitting the driving forceof the spindle motor 35 to the ejection regulating lever 151 or themoving lever is provided on the base plate 5. This driving forcetransmitting mechanism 170 is provided with a first transmission gear171 engaged with the gear 53 provided on the periphery of the disc table6 and a second transmission gear 172 provided on the same axis as thisfirst transmission gear 171 with a shorter diameter than the firsttransmission gear 171. An oscillating lever 174 is attached to asupporting shaft 173 of the first and second transmission gears 171 and172 via a friction member not shown. An oscillating gear 166 is attachedto the end of this oscillating lever 174 via a supporting shaft 175 sothat the oscillating gear can be rotated. This oscillating gear 166 isnormally engaged with the second transmission gear 172. The drivingforce of the second transmission gear 172 is transmitted to theoscillating lever 174 to which the oscillating gear 166 is attached viathe friction member and the oscillating lever is turned in thedirections shown by arrows T 1 and T 2 in FIG. 14 according to therotational direction of this second transmission gear 172.

When the magneto-optical disc 211 or 231 is loaded onto the disc table 6and recording and/or reproducing a signal on this magneto-optical disc211 or 231 are/is started, the spindle motor 35 of the disc rotatingmechanism 1 is normally rotated in the direction shown by the arrow R 1in FIG. 14. When the spindle motor 35 is rotated in the direction shownby the arrow R 1 in FIG. 14, the first and second transmission gears 171and 172 are rotated in the direction shown by the arrow T 1 in FIG. 14,the oscillating lever 174 is turned in the direction shown by the arrowT 1 in FIG. 14 and the oscillating gear 166 attached at the end of theoscillating lever 174 is engaged with the second rack gear 163 of themoving lever 153. At this time, the oscillating gear 166 also engagedwith the second transmission gear 172 is rotated in the same directionshown by an arrow W 1 in FIG. 14 as the rotational direction of thespindle motor 35 and moves the moving lever 153 in the direction shownby the arrow N 1 in FIG. 14. The coupling lever 154 is turned in thedirection shown by the arrow S 1 in FIG. 14 with the supporting shaft164 in the center by the movement of this moving lever 153 in thedirection shown by the arrow N 1 in FIG. 14 and moves the ejectionregulating lever 151 in the direction shown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 14.The turned part 152 is withdrawn from between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30 as shown in FIG. 15 by moving the ejectionregulating lever 151 in the direction shown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 14.When the ejection regulating lever 151 is moved to a position in whichthe turned part 152 is withdrawn from between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30, engagement between the oscillating gear 166and the second rack gear 163 is released. At this time, as the spindlemotor 35 is being rotated normally in the direction shown by the arrow R1 in FIG. 15, torque in the direction shown by the arrow T 1 in FIG. 15is being applied to the oscillating lever 174 and the engagement of theoscillating gear 166 with the second rack gear 163 is regulated. As aload upon the oscillating gear 166 is released when the oscillating gear166 is separated from the second rack gear 163, torque transmitted tothe oscillating lever 174 supported by the supporting shaft 173 of thefirst and second transmission gears 171 and 172 via the friction memberis reduced and the oscillating lever 174 is held in a position in whichthe oscillating gear 166 is separated from the second rack gear 163.

When the ejection regulating lever 151 is moved to a position in whichthe turned part 152 is withdrawn from between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30, it is pressed and moved in the directionshown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 15 by pressure from the toggle spring 165and a state in which the movement thereof in the direction shown by thearrow H 1 in FIG. 15 is regulated is held. That is, a state in which theturned part 152 is withdrawn from between the first and second ejectionlevers 61 and 30 is held.

When the turned part 152 is withdrawn from between the first and secondejection levers 61 and 30, moving the second ejection lever 30 isregulated even if the first ejection lever 61 is operated. That is, asthe second ejection lever 30 is directly not pressed from a distance inwhich the first ejection lever 61 is moved, moving the second ejectionlever 30 is regulated as long as the turned part 152 is not protrudedbetween them. As the second ejection lever 30 is not operated, theejection of the disc cartridge 210 or 232 set in the cartridge set part7 is regulated and taking off the magneto-optical disc 211 or theoptical disc 231 loaded onto the disc table 6 is regulated.

When recording a signal on the magneto-optical disc 211 loaded onto thedisc table 6 is finished and recording the catalog of recorded signalson the magneto-optical disc 211 is completed or the reproduction of adesired signal recorded on the magneto-optical disc 211 or the opticaldisc 231 loaded onto the disc table 6 is completed, the spindle motor 35is stopped and the recording and/or the reproduction of a signal by thedisc recorder/reproducer are/is completed. When the recording and/or thereproduction of a signal are/is completed, a control signal forcontrolling the driving of the spindle motor 35 is output from a controlcircuit for controlling the operation of, for example the discrecorder/reproducer and the spindle motor 35 starts to be rotated in thedirection shown by the arrow R 2 in FIG. 15, that is, reverselyaccording to this control signal.

When the spindle motor 35 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrowR 2 in FIG. 15, the first and second transmission gears 171 and 172 arerotated in the direction shown by the arrow T 2 in FIG. 15, theoscillating lever 174 is turned in the direction shown by the arrow T 2in FIG. 14 and the oscillating gear 166 attached to the end of theoscillating lever 174 is engaged with the first rack gear 159 of theejection regulating lever 151. At this time, the oscillating gear 166also engaged with the second transmission gear 172 is rotated in thesame direction as the rotational direction of the spindle motor 35 shownby an arrow W 2 in FIG. 15 and moves the ejection regulating lever 151in the direction shown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 15. The coupling lever154 is turned in the direction shown by the arrow S 2 in FIG. 15 withthe supporting shaft 164 in the center by the movement of this ejectionregulating lever 151 in the direction shown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 15and moves the ejection regulating lever 151 in the direction shown bythe arrow H 1 in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 14, the turned part 152 isprotruded between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 by themovement of the ejection regulating lever 151 in the direction shown bythe arrow H 1 in FIG. 15. When the ejection regulating lever 151 ismoved to a position in which the turned part 152 is protruded betweenthe first and second ejection levers 61 and 30, engagement between theoscillating gear 166 and the first rack gear 159 is released.

At this time, as the spindle motor 35 is being rotated reversely in thedirection shown by the arrow R 2 in FIG. 15, torque in the directionshown by the arrow T 2 in FIG. 15 is being applied to the oscillatinglever 174 and the engagement of the oscillating gear 166 with the firstrack gear 159 is regulated. As a load upon the oscillating gear 166 isreleased when the oscillating gear 166 is separated from the first rackgear 159, torque transmitted to the oscillating lever 174 supported bythe supporting shaft 173 of the first and second transmission gears 171and 172 via the friction member is reduced and the oscillating lever 174is held in a position in which the oscillating gear 166 is separatedfrom the first rack gear 159.

When the ejection regulating lever 151 is moved to a position in whichthe turned part 152 is protruded between the first and second ejectionlevers 61 and 30, it is pressed and moved in the direction shown by thearrow H 1 in FIG. 14 by pressure from the toggle spring 154 and a statein which movement in the direction shown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 15 isregulated is held. That is, the election regulating lever is held in astate in which the turned part 152 is protruded between the first andsecond ejection levers 61 and 30.

When the first ejection lever 61 is moved in the direction shown by thearrow K in FIG. 14, the second ejection lever 30 is moved in thedirection shown by the arrow K in FIG. 14 via the turned part 152 of theejection regulating lever 151, the lock of the cover 29 is released, thedisc cartridge 210 or 232 held in the cartridge holder 9 is ejected fromthe cartridge set part 7 and the magneto-optical disc 211 or the opticaldisc 232 loaded onto the disc table 6 is ejected.

In the meantime, even if the turned part 152 is pressed in the directionshown by the arrow H 2 in FIG. 14 in a state in which the turned part152 is protruded between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30,the ejection regulating lever 151 is moved is moved in the directionshown by the arrow H 1 in FIG. 14 by pressure from the toggle spring 165and is returned to a state in which the turned part 152 is protrudedbetween the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30. That is, as thetoggle spring 165 cannot be moved to a position exceeding a neutralpoint thereof by pressing the turned part 152 in the direction shown bythe arrow H 2 in FIG. 14, the ejection regulating lever 151 isautomatically returned to a position in which the turned part 152 isprotruded between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30 bypressure from the toggle spring 165. Therefore, when the ejectionregulating lever 151 is located in a position in which the turned part152 is protruded between the first and second ejection levers 61 and 30,the toggle spring 165 securely holds a state in which ejection isenabled. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the secure ejection ofthe disc cartridge 210 or 232 utilizing a small number of springs isguaranteed.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention isapplied to a disc recorder/reproducer using an optical disc or amagneto-optical disc as a recording medium is described, however, thepresent invention can be widely applied to a disc recorder and/orreproducer using a magnetic disc, a disclike recording medium other thanit or a disc cartridge housing this recording medium as a recordingmedium and advantages can be obtained by the present invention.

According to the present invention, a variety of changes may be madeaccording to the type of a disc recorder and/or reproducer to which thepresent invention is applied in the range in which they do not deviatefrom the effect of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

As a disc ejecting apparatus and a disc loading apparatus according tothe present invention are characterized in that the operation of anejection mechanism for ejecting a disc cartridge in a state in which adisc housed in this disc cartridge is loaded onto a disc rotatingmechanism is controlled utilizing the motor of the disc rotatingmechanism for rotating a disc table onto which the disc in the disccartridge is loaded for rotating a disc housed in a disc cartridge, adriving source can be reduced and the ejecting apparatus and the loadingapparatus can be simplified and miniaturized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc ejecting apparatus, comprising: discrotating means provided with a disc table onto which a disc in a disccartridge is loaded for rotating said disc housed in said disc cartridgeand a motor for rotating said disc table; ejection means for ejectingsaid disc cartridge in a state in which said disc in said disc cartridgeis loaded onto said disc rotating means; switching means for prohibitingthe ejection of said disc cartridge by said ejection means when saidmotor is normally rotated and for enabling the ejection of said disccartridge by said ejection means when said motor is reversely rotated,wherein said election means is provided with a first election leveroperated by a user of the apparatus, a second election lever operated bysaid first election lever for electing said disc cartridge and atransmission mechanism for operating said second election lever byoperating said first election lever; and said switching means includes amovement mechanism for selectively moving said transmission mechanismbetween a transmission position in which the operation of said firstelection lever is transmitted to said second election lever and anontransmission position in which the operation of said first electionlever is not transmitted to said second election lever, and wherein saidmovement mechanism is provided with an oscillating gear oscillateddepending upon a rotational direction of said motor; said transmissionmechanism is provided with a first lever which is moved between saidtransmission position and said nontransmission position and includes afirst rack for engagement with said oscillating gear, wherein saidoscillating gear is oscillated depending upon the rotational directionof said motor and said first lever is moved between said transmissionposition and said nontransmission position by selectively engaging saidoscillating gear and the first rack of said first lever, wherein saidoscillating gear is engaged with the first rack of said first lever whensaid motor is reversely rotated and moves said first lever in thedirection of said transmission position, wherein said movement mechanismis provided with a second lever provided with a second rack engaged withsaid oscillating gear when said motor is normally rotated and a linkmechanism for moving said second lever between said transmissionposition and said nontransmission position and said second lever ismoved to said nontransmission position by said link mechanism byengaging said second rack and said oscillating gear when said motor isnormally rotated.
 2. The disc ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,wherein: said switching means is provided with a toggle spring forpressing said transmission mechanism in a direction of said transmissionposition when said transmission mechanism is located in saidtransmission position and for pressing said transmission mechanism in adirection of said nontransmission position when said transmissionmechanism is located in said nontransmission position.
 3. The discejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said movementmechanism moves said transmission mechanism by a driving force suppliedwhen said motor is reversely rotated against pressure from said togglespring.
 4. The disc ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: agear is formed along a periphery of said disc table; and said movementmechanism is provided with a transmission gear for transmitting adriving force to said oscillating gear engaged with said gear.
 5. A discejecting apparatus, comprising: disc rotating means provided with a disctable for rotating a disc and a motor for rotating said disc table;ejection means for ejecting said disc loaded onto said disc rotatingmeans; a switching means for prohibiting an ejection of said disc bysaid ejection means when said motor is normally rotated and for enablingthe ejection of said disc by said ejection means when said motor isreversely rotated, wherein said election means is provided with a firstejection lever operated by a user, a second election lever for executingthe election of said disc and being operated by said first ejectionlever and a transmission mechanism for operating said second electionlever by an operation of said first ejection lever; and said switchingmeans includes a movement mechanism for selectively moving saidtransmission mechanism between a transmission position in which theoperation of said first ejection lever is transmitted to said secondelection lever and a nontransmission position in which the operation ofsaid first election lever is not transmitted to said second electionlever, wherein said movement mechanism is provided with an oscillatinggear oscillated depending upon a rotational direction of said motor;said transmission mechanism is provided with a first lever which ismoved between said transmission position and said nontransmissionposition and to which a first rack engaged with said oscillating gear isprovided; said oscillating gear is oscillated depending upon therotational direction of said motor; and said first lever is movedbetween said transmission position and said nontransmission position byselectively engaging said oscillating gear and the first rack of saidfirst lever, wherein said oscillating gear is engaged with the firstrack of said first lever when said motor is reversely rotated and movessaid first lever in the direction of said transmission position, andsaid movement mechanism is provided with a second lever provided with asecond rack engaged with said oscillating gear when said motor isnormally rotated and a link mechanism for moving said second leverbetween said transmission position and said nontransmission position;and said second lever is moved to said nontransmission position by saidlink mechanism by engaging said second rack and said oscillating gearwhen said motor is normally rotated.
 6. The disc ejecting apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein: said switching means is provided with atoggle spring for pressing said transmission mechanism in a direction ofsaid transmission position when said transmission mechanism is locatedin said transmission position and for pressing said transmissionmechanism in a direction of said nontransmission position when saidtransmission mechanism is located in said nontransmission position. 7.The disc ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: said movementmechanism moves said transmission mechanism by a driving force suppliedwhen said motor is reversely rotated against pressure from said togglespring.
 8. The disc ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: agear is formed along a periphery of said disc table; and said movementmechanism is provided with a transmission gear for transmitting adriving force to an oscillating gear engaged with said gear.